Hey San Francisco — You need to fix your homeless problem
A few months ago, I flew out to San Francisco to interview for (and subsequently accept) a position at a tech company headquartered there. The degree of homelessness in San Francisco was very unsettling. It was hard for me to comprehend how human suffering of this magnitude could co-exist in a city that is also home to some of the richest businesses and individuals in the world.
I am a proud “city girl.” I was born and raised in the city and have spent a considerable about of time living and working in urban areas. I am not naive about the unfortunate conditions and inequities that exist in large cities.
However, the streets of San Francisco felt different. The level of homelessness there — especially when contrasted against the extreme wealth that exists in the city — was striking. For me, the level of homelessness was so pervasive that the entire environment felt dystopian. It was pretty remarkable to witness people casually going about their day while there were people sleeping, bathing, and otherwise doing the best they could to survive on the streets of this rich city.
Following my trip to San Francisco, I could not stop talking and thinking about it. I mentioned the homeless issue to someone I know who is quite steeped in religion. After quietly and patiently listening to my impassioned rant, she told me that I should pray. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. Indeed, prayer works. I truly believe that.
However, as a creative person with lots of ideas constantly running through my mind, I am not fully sold on the idea that prayer is all we should do to address societal problems. There is an epidemic level of suffering taking place throughout this world. In order to truly address this issue, it is my firm belief that the time for passive involvement is over. To make a real difference in the world, we must act. And, the time for action is now.
To the rich corporations and individuals living and working in San Francisco, please wake up. Each of you should make a commitment never to step over, push aside, berate or ignore, a homeless person ever again. Instead, you should put your so-called brilliant minds together and find a way to fix the pervasive and epidemic-level homelessness taking place in your city.
